In this debate, filmed at the Battle of Ideas, a panel discuss the Occupy phenomenon. At its various locations, Occupy has issued demands for tighter regulation of banks, a reduction in the level of inequality between rich and poor, greater transparency when it comes to political lobbying, and more broadly, an attack on greed and overconsumption. Yet given their sentiments, what does Occupy say about the meaning of radicalism, or indeed, anti-capitalism today? After all, almost all mainstream politicians in Europe and the US talk darkly of corporate avarice and bankers’ greed. Perhaps the anti-capitalism of Occupy is not quite as radical as some see it? Panellists in this fiery debate include Ian Chamberlain, writer and human rights campaigner, Solidarity Bank; Professor Natalie Fenton, joint head of department, co-director, Leverhulme Media Research Centre, Goldsmiths, University of London; Brendan O’Neill, editor, spiked; George Pitcher, journalist and Anglican priest, St. Bride’s Church, Fleet Street and Nick Sotirakopoulos, assistant lecturer in environmental sociology, University of Kent.
